Term 1 Week 5 Newsletter 2025

Principal's Messages

BUILDING EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE: EMPOWERING STUDENTS THROUGH THE ZONES OF REGULATION

During the first five weeks of term, students across all classes have actively developed their emotional regulation skills. Using the Zones of Regulation framework, we have focused on helping students identify and understand their emotions while equipping them with strategies to manage situations beyond the optimal ‘Green Zone.’ As a culmination of this learning, each student has created a personalised toolbox of strategies tailored to their individual needs. In the coming weeks, I will visit each classroom to discuss these toolboxes, encouraging reflection on how they support emotional wellbeing and overall success. 

Featured below are some drawings from a lesson with Year 4 - there are some very talented drawers!

YEAR 6 LEADERSHIP DAY: LEARNING, GROWING, AND LEADING

Our Year 6 students recently participated in a fantastic Leadership Day, designed to equip them with the skills and confidence needed for their roles as leaders of our school.

The day was led by Elissa Burden, alongside a group of inspiring Year 10 students from St John’s College. Through a range of engaging activities, our students explored key leadership qualities, including teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. They were encouraged to reflect on what it means to be a positive role model and how they can contribute to our school community.

It was a wonderful day of learning, collaboration, and fun, and we are incredibly proud of our Year 6 students for embracing the experience with enthusiasm. We also extend our thanks to Elissa and the St John’s students for their guidance and support in making this day such a valuable opportunity.

We look forward to seeing our Year 6 students put their leadership skills into action throughout the year!

For more photos of this event, see our FaceBook Page.

CLASS PARENTS 2025: CONNECTING FAMILIES AND BUILDING COMMUNITY

Each year, we invite one or two parents from each class to nominate as a Class Parent to help liaise between the school and families. This role can be shared if preferred. While we provide a role description, there is no expectation regarding the level of involvement. The main responsibility is to connect with parents and possibly organise a social gathering.

Class Parents have also helped coordinate support for families in need but are not responsible for managing school events. Please refer to the Class Parent sheet on the following page. Some parents have already volunteered, but many classes still require Class Parents.

Today, a form will be sent home with your child for parents to complete and return. This form allows parents to opt in or out of sharing their email addresses with Class Parents. If a parent opts out, any group information shared via email by the Class Parent must be sent to the school administration, who will then forward it on their behalf. These measures ensure safe and inclusive ways for children and parents to connect and build relationships while maintaining privacy.

INCLUSIVE BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS: A SIMPLE APPROACH

Often, when organising their child’s birthday, parents wish to invite the whole class and request a class list. Due to child safety considerations, we are unable to provide class lists. Instead, we ask that birthday invitations be prepared with all details filled in but without recipient names. These invitations can then be sent to school and the teachers will then distribute these invitations via student pouches. This approach ensures a smooth and discreet process while maintaining privacy and inclusivity for all students. Thank you for your cooperation in creating a safe and welcoming environment.

2025 SCHOOL FEES

2025 School Fees have been issued. Please ensure instalments are paid by the due dates or contact the office to discuss a payment plan.

Instalment due dates are as follows:

• Term 1 statement date 28/02/2025 and instalment due date 14/03/2025

• Term 2 statement date 9/05/2025 and instalment due date 23/05/2025

• Term 3 statement date 01/08/2025 and instalment due date 15/08/2025

SUPPORTING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE: WORKING TOGETHER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

If you're finding it difficult to get your child to school on time each day, please contact the school so we can work together to find a solution. Speaking with your child's Principal, Support Teacher, or Class Teacher is a proactive step in addressing any challenges they may be facing.

Class Teachers can provide insights into classroom dynamics and academic progress, helping to identify any concerns. By working together, we can explore any underlying issues - such as academic difficulties, social challenges, or wellbeing factors - that may be affecting your child’s motivation or ability to arrive on time.

KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE ON ROBLOX: WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

Many children enjoy playing Roblox, but it’s important to be aware of some hidden risks within the platform. Certain features are emerging that can expose children to unsafe interactions, making it crucial for parents to stay informed and proactive.

Ro-Meet on Roblox: A Dangerous Chatroom

Ro-Meet is a social feature within Roblox that allows users to talk to strangers. In reality, it functions much like Omegle - a well-known, unfiltered chat platform. Despite Roblox’s assurances that they restrict interactions between strangers (especially for users under 13), Ro-Meet is managing to bypass these controls. Alarmingly, it is listed under the ‘All Ages’ category, making it easily accessible to children.

RoZoom: Taking the Danger a Step Further

As if Ro-Meet wasn’t concerning enough, RoZoom now exists within Roblox - a feature allowing children to video chat with strangers in real time. This is deeply alarming. While Roblox states they make it “extremely difficult” for strangers to contact children, these features suggest otherwise.

To better understand the risks on Roblox, I encourage you to watch this informative video for parents:
🔗 What Parents Need to Know About Roblox

What Can We Do?

• Talk to Your Child – Discuss the dangers of talking to strangers and sharing personal information online.
• Supervise Their Activity – Regularly check what they are playing, who they are talking to, and what they are engaging with on Roblox.
• Use Parental Controls – Enable every available safety feature on Roblox to restrict access and monitor interactions.
• Teach Digital Awareness – Encourage critical thinking about online interactions and the risks of being contacted by strangers.
• Report Concerns – If you notice anything suspicious, report it directly to Roblox. If you suspect online grooming, report it immediately to local law enforcement.

We must treat our children’s online playgrounds with the same vigilance as we do their physical ones.

For further updates on online safety trends, I recommend following ‘Safe On Socials’ on Facebook.

Finally, please take note of the screenshot below, which highlights how children are being encouraged to move off Roblox onto less-policed platforms like Snapchat - an all-too-common predatory tactic.

By staying informed and engaged, we can help protect our children from the hidden dangers of the online world.

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN IEP & PLP MEETINGS

Thank you to all the parents and carers who attended the recent IEP (Individual Education Program) and PLP (Personalised Learning Plan) meetings. These meetings are invaluable opportunities to collaborate with our staff, ensuring the best possible support for your child. They document the teaching and learning adjustments in place, outline clear educational goals, and set formal objectives that the school team will focus on in the coming months. These plans also encourage student voice, allowing students and parents to engage in and take ownership of their learning. IEPs and PLPs are developed for students with additional needs and our First Nations students.

For families we have not yet met with, Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place in Week 8 this term. We look forward to continuing these important conversations.

ENSURING BEST PRACTICE IN LITERACY ASSESSMENT

At St Laurence’s, we are committed to ensuring our staff are highly skilled and up to date with the latest assessment practices to support student learning. Recently, some of our teachers participated in specialised training on the DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessment.

This training provided staff with a deeper understanding of how to effectively assess key early literacy skills, including letter naming, phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension. By using this research-based assessment tool, we can gain valuable insights into each student’s reading development and tailor our teaching to meet their individual needs.

Ongoing professional learning like this ensures we are using best-practice strategies to support all students in becoming confident and successful readers.

2025 SPELLING BEE COMPETITION

PARENTS & FRIENDS ASSOCIATION MEETING – JOIN US!

Our first Parents & Friends (P&F) Association meeting for the year will be held on Tuesday, 18th March at 6:30pm via Zoom. All parents and carers are warmly invited to attend.

The P&F plays a vital role in building our school community, supporting events, and enhancing opportunities for our students. Attending these meetings is a great way to:
✅ Stay informed about school initiatives and upcoming events
✅ Have a voice in discussions about school improvements
✅ Contribute to fundraising efforts that directly benefit our students
✅ Connect with other parents and staff in a welcoming environment

Whether you are a regular attendee or joining for the first time, we would love to see you there! A Zoom link will be sent out closer to the date.

We look forward to working together to make 2025 another great year for our school community!

ENROL NOW FOR KINDER 2026

Collection Notice for Parents

Australian Maths Trusts - Maths Competitions

Religious Education

A Lenten Reflection

Lent is a sacred time of renewal, a journey where we draw closer to God through prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness. It is not just about giving something up, but about making space in our hearts for God’s love to grow. Before Lent begins, we celebrate Shrove Tuesday, a day of preparation where we reflect on the changes we want to make and traditionally enjoy pancakes as a reminder of the fasting to come. On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes on our foreheads as a sign of repentance and a call to turn our hearts back to God. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert preparing for His mission, and we, too, are invited to reflect, repent, and realign our lives with His teachings. We welcome everyone to attend Mass with us at St Laurence's Church on the 5th of March. Let this season be one where we choose kindness over impatience, generosity over selfishness, and faith over fear. May we embrace this journey with open hearts, always seeking to become more like Christ in all we do.

Term 1 Events

MASS TIMES: St. Brigid’s: Saturday - 6:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday - 6:00pm.

St. Laurence’s Church: Monday- 9:30am, Wednesday - 9:30am, Friday -12 noon and Sunday - 7:30am

World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice. World Day of Prayer will be held on Friday the 7th of March. 

Sports

Cross Country

Our annual school Cross Country competition will be held in Week 8 on Tuesday 25th March.

We will be running the races at Lady Cutler Oval fields 1, 2, 3 & 4 

Children from Years 2-6 will be bussed down at 9am. Kindy and Year 1 will remain at school for the morning session, before joining us after recess. They will be bussed down to the oval at 11:30am.

Approximate start times for each age group are:

- 9:30am 8/9 Year Boys

- 9:45am 8/9 Year Girls

- 10:00am 10 Year Boys

- 10:15am 10 Year Girls

- 10:30am 11 Year Boys

- 10:45am 11 Year Girls

- 11:10am 12 Years Boys

- 11:30am 12 Years Girls

A reminder, depending on weather etc, these times are subject to change. If you want to see your child race and are able to take the morning off, this will be the best way to ensure you do not miss them in action.

All ribbons will be handed out at the end of each age group.

Year 1 and Kindergarten come down after recess to run their races. We will be starting with the Yr 1 boys at approximately 11:45am. Followed by the Year 1 girls, then the Kinder boys and then Kinder girls.

At the conclusion of the Cross Country races students will be bussed back to school.

Northern Region Swimming Carnival

St Laurence’s swimmers made a splash at the Northern Region Swimming Carnival in Gulgong, showcasing outstanding talent, determination, and school spirit. It was a wonderful day filled with impressive performances and strong support from our community.

Congratulations to every swimmer who represented St Laurence’s with pride! A special mention to Lucy M, who was awarded equal Junior Girl Champion - an incredible achievement!

A big thank you to the dedicated staff and parents who assisted throughout the day and cheered on our team. Your support made all the difference.

We now look forward to cheering on the following students as they advance to the Diocesan Carnival on Tuesday, 11th March:
Sophia B, Max C, Archie C, Polly C, Maddison C, Georgia D, Kortlyn F, Uriah F, Lawson G, Lucy M, Isaac M, Oscar M, Patrick O, Eugene P, Sophie T, and Lucy W.

Best of luck to our swimmers at Dio - go St Laurence’s!

2025 Winter sports Trials

Nomination forms have been sent home for the following sports trials: Rugby League, Netball, Soccer, Hockey.

These trials will be held in Bathurst on Friday 28th March.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

As part of our ongoing commitment to Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) each class spends time reviewing and learning about the expectations in specific areas. The focus can be developed from feedback and data. This week our focus is the playground

Being safe on the playground means:

• We use equipment for intended purpose
• We stay in bounds 
• We keep our hands, feet and other objects to ourselves
• We wear our hats

Being responsible on the playground means:

• We put our rubbish in the bin
• We put our equipment away when we have finished playing with it

Being respectful on the playground means:

• We follow adult directions
• We play on the fields allocated to us
• We play by the rules of the game 
• We play fairly, take turns and share
• We include others in our play
• We speak kindly to others
• We solve problems calmly together

Canteen

Thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who have heard our call for help and put their hands up to volunteer on Friday's in our school canteen.

The roster for Term 1 is available by clicking the link below: CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS ROSTER - TERM 1 2025

Helping in the canteen involves serving students at the canteen window, helping sort and organise the lunch orders, cooking food for lunch orders, washing up and cleaning up.

Our meal break times are:
Recess 10:50 - 11:10am;
Infants Lunch 12:40 - 1:20pm;
Primary Lunch 1:10 - 1:50pm.

Any assistance will be much appreciated to ensure our canteen is able to continue functioning for our students.

Dates to remember

Birthdays

Curriculum Corner

Year 4 with Mrs Tegart

 In Music, Year 4 have been learning about musical style or the ‘feel’ of the music. We learnt about some of the characteristics of Funk Music and created a class video performance of the arrangement ‘Get Funky’ for our assessment. Watch out for a sneak preview on the St Laurence’s Facebook page!

We also learnt how to say a syncopated rhythmic ostinato in time names (ti taa ti taa taa ti taa zaa zaa) and then with lyrics (Get up Get down Get funky) and tap it on our legs in the chorus section of the song along with the words. 

A highlight of the unit was getting to sing ‘Funky Town’ along with the lyrics and watch a young 21 year old Michael Jackson sing a funk classic, ‘Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough’. 

In Religion, Year 4 have been learning about the Ten Commandments and their meaning. We completed an assessment where we identified and labelled each of the commandments in order from 1 to 10, quite a few of us scoring a perfect 10. Well done Year 4!!

We then wrote a simple interpretation of our own understanding of the meaning of one or two of the commandments. Ivy penned the following rather entertaining ‘short story’ in explaining her understanding of commandment number 8, ‘You shall not steal’.

When I walk into class I find a sad looking pen. My best friend, Sophie, had a pen like that and I always wanted one. I look at the pen and pick it up and bring it to her. ‘No, that is not mine’, she says and pulls her one out of her tub. I look around the room for this pen’s owner, but can’t find the person. I have two options, steal it and lie that it is mine, or choose right and bring it up to the teacher to try and find out who the owner is. My brain goes to the right choice and I bring it up to the teacher. ‘Oh, I know who that belongs to’, and a smile pops up on her face, ‘Mary H’. She calls her up to the front and the pen gets reunited with its owner. (Ivy D, Yr 4)

We love your clever creativity, Ivy, in putting this commandment into a modern context we can all understand and relate to! 

In Science, Year 4 have been investigating a range of packaging, and the properties of materials, both natural and processed. The students had a lot of fun exploring some of the packaging from Mrs Tegart’s recycling bits and bobs! Be sure to ask Year 4 about the mysterious package delivery that went astray at Mrs Tegart’s house and the naughty beaglier scaring the postman!!! 

Here are a few snaps of Year 4 so far this term!

Awards

Happy Families

Community News